But the pact had already been in tatters after Washington unilaterally withdrew during US President Donald Trump’s first term, with Iran later pulling back from its commitments. The reimposition last month of UN sanctions at the urging of Britain, France and Germany — collectively known as the “E3” — rendered the accord effectively moot. From now on, “all of the provisions (of the deal), including the restrictions on the Iranian nuclear program and the related mechanisms, are considered terminated,” Iran’s foreign ministry said in a statement on the day of the pact’s expiration.
“Iran firmly expresses its commitment to diplomacy,” it added.Western powers have long accused Iran of secretly seeking nuclear weapons. Iran, whose leaders are sworn to destroy Israel, publicly denies seeking nuclear arms, but has amassed uranium enriched to a level with no civilian application, obstructed international inspectors from checking its nuclear facilities, and expanded its ballistic missile capabilities. The deal’s “termination day” was set for October 18, 2025, exactly 10 years after it was enshrined in the UN’s Security Council Resolution 2231. (Read More)
